I'm running a game with a couple of friends who are new to D&D and I'm trying to find a good relatable analogy for spells and magic. I myself understand the relations between the known spells, prepared spells, spell levels and spell slots but it's clear that most of my players are having a hard time wrapping their heads around it.
I've used the analogy of cooking before, but it's not perfect: The spells known are your cookbook. The spells prepared are the recipes you've memorised for the day. The components are the ingrediënts needed. The levels are the difficulty of the recipes and how much energy/time they cost to make. The spell slots are the amount of energy/time you have to cook recipes.
Do any of you have other analogies you use to explain this aspect of the game?
For a Wizard, Cleric, Druid, Paladin, or Artificer: Spells known are what’s in your tool chest. Spells Prepared are what you stick in your tool belt for the day. Components are all the screws and nails and nuts and bolts you need to use the tools. Spell slots are how many times you can pull a tool out of your belt that day.
For Sorcerers, Bards, Rangers and Warlocks, they don’t have a tool chest, they don’t own as many tools, but all of their tools are always in their tool belts, no need to pick and choose every day.
I'm running a game with a couple of friends who are new to D&D and I'm trying to find a good relatable analogy for spells and magic. I myself understand the relations between the known spells, prepared spells, spell levels and spell slots but it's clear that most of my players are having a hard time wrapping their heads around it.
I've used the analogy of cooking before, but it's not perfect:
The spells known are your cookbook.
The spells prepared are the recipes you've memorised for the day.
The components are the ingrediënts needed.
The levels are the difficulty of the recipes and how much energy/time they cost to make.
The spell slots are the amount of energy/time you have to cook recipes.
Do any of you have other analogies you use to explain this aspect of the game?
Exam prep is a good analogy
Find my D&D Beyond articles here
For a Wizard, Cleric, Druid, Paladin, or Artificer: Spells known are what’s in your tool chest. Spells Prepared are what you stick in your tool belt for the day. Components are all the screws and nails and nuts and bolts you need to use the tools. Spell slots are how many times you can pull a tool out of your belt that day.
For Sorcerers, Bards, Rangers and Warlocks, they don’t have a tool chest, they don’t own as many tools, but all of their tools are always in their tool belts, no need to pick and choose every day.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting